Forgiving Bernie Madoff (And A-holes Like Him)!

Things that happen to us only have the meaning we give to them!

Now, as for the act of forgiveness, it implies four different things: 1) you believe that someone has done you wrong, 2) there’s resistance to the present moment or to a past moment, 3) there’s judgment from either a “Higher Power” outside of us or from within us, and 4) you hold a belief in sin or wrong-doing (does any of this ring a bell?).

However, I learned this along the way: my sense of forgiveness is an act of release or surrender. It is actually done for the forgiver (me), more than for the person who is forgiven (the a#@hole). Sure, I understand the hurt and grief that arises when something “bad” happens or “is done” to us, and although I’m certainly not always capable of living at this advanced level of thinking, I don’t necessarily believe that there is a wrong or right label that can be placed on everything in our lives. Now, I know this isn’t a popular way of seeing the world, but it’s the way I’m starting to see it.

Take Mr. Bernard “A#@hole of the Year” Madoff, for example: This human virus, as we all know, is the infamous stock broker behind the largest Pyramid scheme every devised. While reading through a quick Google search of this bastard, you’ll soon feel the hurt, pain and loss faced by these “victims” who have lost millions of dollars (and in some cases, even billions. Damn!!). Most of them had to “totally” change their lifestyles (Oh my God, some have to now get by with only millions. What to do? What to do?). However, these rich people who were scammed should just cut their losses, and face the facts … their greed turned into his opportunity (plain and simple)! So how the f@#k can they blame him for everything (I don’t know, but a million or two of them certainly are)?

And before you get on your f@#ing high horse, learn this first: studies have shown that people who forgive are much happier and healthier than those who hold resentments. It’s true: when people think about forgiving an offender it ultimately leads to improved functioning in their cardiovascular and nervous systems, and the more forgiving people are, the less they’ll suffer from a wide range of illnesses. So why drag this out … forgive the POS thieves in your life (note: they’re going to get theirs in the end, believe me … God has his mysterious ways. That goes for you to, Madoff — you’re going to be someone’s b#@ch pretty soon) and get on with your lives, before it’s too late!

My friend, there are so many levels to this thing called forgiveness, and so many ways to interpret and misinterpret it. I’ve noticed that a large majority of my fellow citizens just love to label themselves as “victims” of something, or someone (and they will fight to keep that victim identity alive by fighting any notion that challenges it … like this article). This is the socially acceptable stance in our culture, however forgiveness challenges that identity. Self-responsibility challenges that identity. Well, this is what I have learned about forgiveness … it has evolved over time, and it will continue to evolve. Now, just do it (I know, it sounds like a Nike ad … but it’s true)!

Not surprisingly, for many people, forgiving is an area of intellectual confusion. So in the simplest form I could muster … here goes everything you MUST know about forgiveness, if you ever want to live the good life (truth: you’ll never have it with all that anger filling your brain): let it go now, and turn to the next chapter in your life (Oh, and stop cursing me while you’re doing it. LOL)! That’s the whole secret to this thing called forgiveness … without having to pay any ridiculous psychiatrist bills (those jerks will rip you off as well)! Good luck, my friend … good luck!